Chris Wilder believes that Saturday’s 1-1 home draw with Accrington Stanley was a match where the opposition deserved credit rather than Oxford United receiving criticism.

The U’s once again squandered the lead in front of their home fans as a second-half Peter Murphy strike cancelled out Paul McLaren’s first-half free-kick.

But while he admitted his side were below par, Wilder said that a lot of that was down to their opponents.

“We didn’t reach the standards that we have got to of late,” Wilder said.

“People are often quick to criticise your failings, but sometimes you have to take your hat off to the opposition – and I thought that was the case today.

“That’s the best side that we have played all season in terms of the way they went about it and played.”

The result saw United drop to eighth in the League Two table, but Wilder’s men are still hot on the heels of the leading teams.

“We didn’t reach the standards that we have got to of late,” he said.

“We can be better, we know that, but it’s a turnaround this year because we are winning away and drawing at home.

“As always you look to turn a show on in front of your supporters, but we were just a little bit off the pace today and sloppy in some of our passing.

“We managed to get our noses in front and had a real go at the end where Michael Duberry has hit the bar, but I think that a draw was fair enough considering the chances they had.”

United’s boss added: “We are ten games in, and I said we’d be able to assess where we were after ten games.

“We lie four points off the top and two off the play-offs so it’s a steady enough start for us.

“We should have had more points, but everybody else will think that as well.

“We’ve got what we’ve got and we’ve got to try and kick on now, starting with next week’s trip to Hereford.”

l Match report & more reaction Pages: 37-39